Star Prairie Land Preservation Trust – April 2nd, 2007 Meeting Minutes

Star Prairie Town Hall

 

     The April Meeting of the SPLPT was called to order at 7:00 pm by Vice President Pete Kling.   

     Board members present were Pete Kling, Mike Reiter, Stuart Nelson, Trish Moberg, Ron Siler, Chris Polfus and Consultant Cheryl Clemens.

     The February’s Secretary and Treasurer’s reports were approved as read. Stu reported that the SPLPT has received a permanent tax exempt status from the IRS. There is a three year probationary period before the permanent designation can be applied for. Our tax return has also been submitted.

 

  1. Board development discussion was tabled until our next meeting.
  2. Pete and Stu reported on Land Protection Strategy. A revised procedure handout was distributed and deletions and additions to it were explained. This will be finalized at our next meeting.
  3. Trish requested that SPLPT and SPF&GA logos be provided to be used in public relations notices. The New Richmond Service Learning Day, scheduled for May 17th, is on track. This school activity is gaining widespread recognition. Five different school districts have inquired about it and presentations are scheduled to be given at UW-RF with write-ups in “Teaching Today” also planned. The SPLPT and SPF&GA will team up with the County to obtain groups of students on this day to work on instillation of the South Cedar Bay board walk.
  4. Pete and Ron reported on the “Archery Club” meeting held on February 28th. Invitations were sent out to 37 interested parties which included adjoining land owners. This was an informational meeting and was well attended. There was interested in perhaps looking at a non-development buffer surrounding the Archery Club Land. Since that meeting Jim Reimer from the USF&WS has inventoried the property. Ron has provided a rough draft for conveyance of this property to the SPLPT. Stipulations will need to be agreed upon between both parties. Ron will send a follow up letter to the Archery Club members to keep things moving forward.
  5. Pete updated the group on the progress of the South Cedar Bay Landing. Signage designs were made available with suggestions taken. The main signs will be 48”x30” and perhaps be placed on both sides of the road to identify the access area. Internal signage will list all the sponsors of the project. Ramps and steps will be provided for the dock and board walk while the county will donate picnic tables. A kiosk was discussed along with back up signs incase of vandalism.
  6. The McMurtrie land swap is moving forward. Signatures have been obtained on documents from the necessary parties and a new modified land survey may need to be performed. Phyllis Menke will be coming up to this area in July. Ron advised the group that things are progressing and will soon be finalized.
  7. Chris from the SPLPT and Dan Bygd from the SPF&GA will set up a meeting with Stu Utgaard to bring him up to speed on the club activities.
  8. Aleisha Miller has scheduled two school outings at the McMurtrie Preserve this spring. The Osceola Middle School is scheduled for April 25th from 9-noon and the Amery Elementary School is scheduled for May 25th from 9-11 am with more information forthcoming. Pete will be in contact with Aleisha. Restroom port-a-potty satellites will be provided.
  9. The driveway to the McMurtrie Preserve off of county Highway M will be improved with bids for these improvements being obtained by Kyle Kulow of the Land and Water Conservation Department. 
  10. Jim Reimer of the USF&WS has arranged for an individual to remove the red pines and black locust trees from the Boche Property at no cost to the SPLPT.
  11. Our River Protection Grant has been successfully extended until December of 2008.
  12. The SPLPT will continue to be an affiliate member of Gathering Waters. The fee is $250.00. 
  13. Pete commented on an upcoming meeting with Wisconsin DATCP Secretary Rod Nilsestuen in Hudson on April 3rd.
  14. Stu Nelson’s new e-mail address is ssnelson@frontiernet.net.
  15. Mike agreed to take care of the Spring 2007 newsletter mailings.
  16. The next meeting of the SPLPT is scheduled for June 4th with a location to be determined   

 

With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.

 

                                                        Respectfully Submitted

       

                                                        Mike Reiter - Recorder